Military veterans were among topics discussed at the Independence County Quorum Court meeting Monday.
The court approved a resolution proclaiming the county to be a “Purple Heart County.” Independence County Judge Robert Griffin said he has been interested in acquiring that designation for some time. Several Arkansas counties already have become Purple Heart counties.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart is coordinating the effort to declare all counties and cities as Purple Heart counties and cities. The organization pays for the signage that is installed on roads in the designated counties.
JP Charles Jordan read the resolution in full after asking the other court members to stand. The proclamation states that designation honors the service of those who were killed or wounded while serving the nation.
On another veteran-related matter, Judge Griffin asked the court to approve a policy change regarding military leave for employees with service-connected disabilities. The policy mirrors that of the state’s personnel policy. It states that those with service-connected disabilities may take up to six days of leave a year if they need to be re-examined or treated for the disability.
The county’s Policy Committee will insert the new language into the policy manual. Both the military leave policy and the Purple Heart County proclamation were approved unanimously.
In other action, Judge Griffin asked the court to formally accept a loan of $400,000 from the Independence County Library Board. The money will be used to pay for the renovation of the Barnett Building for the library. Griffin emphasized that the renovation is not over budget. He said the loan was part of the original agreement with the Library Board to finance the construction.
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